Cricbuzz looks at the two of the biggest controversies that world cricket, and especially Pakistan cricket, faced in 2010 - The spot-fixing controversy and Zulqarnain Haider's flight from Dubai.

Spot-fixing controversy

On January 3, 2010, Australia took on Pakistan at Sydney in the second Test of the series, after crushing the visitors in the first one. It turned out to be one of the most thrilling Tests witnessed in recent times, with Australia defeating the visitors by 36 runs. After bowling out the Aussies for a paltry 127, Pakistan batted well to secure a lead of 206 runs. Their bowlers once again had the Australian batsmen in all sorts of trouble in the second innings, reducing them to 257 for 8 at one stage, the home team having a slender lead of 57. It was at this stage that 'Mr. Cricket' Michael Hussey produced an astounding innings of 134 in the company of a stubborn Peter Siddle, to set a competitive target of 176. In a nail-biting finish on the last day, the Pakistanis folded for 139 - 36 runs short of the target.

Later in the year, Pakistan played England in a four-match Test series in England. After losing the first two tests, the visitors made a remarkable comeback in the third to set up the series for a thrilling finish. Pakistan started the series decider in a dazzling way, having the home team reeling at 102 for 7 at one stage. From then on, Jonathan Trott, in the company of lower order batsman Stuart Broad had the bowlers on the mat with a mammoth eighth wicket partnership of 332 runs, both batsmen going on to make big centuries. What followed was a meek surrender from Pakistan batsmen, ending in an innings defeat for the sub-continent team.

The above two games seemingly have nothing in common, other than the fact that both involved Pakistan. It was only later that a common factor was revealed - both matches were being investigated for allegations of match fixing and its latest version - spot fixing. After a decade of hiatus, the ugly head of fixing rose again at the home of cricket - Lord's. Following a sting operation conducted by News of The World that showed players receiving money from a bookie for deliberately bowling no balls, three Pakistanis which included their captain and two promising pacers were suspended. The result was an inalterable blow to the game's image and the players' credibility. The notion that players underperformed deliberately in exchange for easy money took the sheen of hard-earned and thrilling victories. The gentleman's game found itself harassed by newspapers conducting sting operations, bookies revealing players involved in fixing and Scotland Yard probing cricketers for corruption. In all this, the most affected were the fans. The loyal followers, who even tolerate humiliating defeats, could not stomach pre-scripted dramas. Every dropped catch was looked upon with suspicion; every close game was seen with distrust. The very idea of sport - spontaneity and unscripted action was thwarted.

Salman Butt, Mohammed Asif, and Mohammed Amir, the suspended trio, appealed against their ban in an ICC tribunal to no avail. The PCB dropped them from the World Cup probables. The tainted trio might have been suspended, but the taint to the game remains. It was in 1999 that the cricketing world got to know about the term 'match-fixing'. More than a decade years later, the game has come a full circle.

Haider's flight from Dubai

Zulqarnain Haider, the young and enthusiastic Pakistani wicket-keeper had a promising start to his career. Replacing Kamran Akmal in the second Test against England at Birmingham, he made a gritty 88 on debut against quality pace and swing bowling. Soon, he found himself in the ODI squad in a series against South Africa at Dubai. A promising-looking career abruptly ended on November 8, 2010, as the cricketing world woke up to the bizarre news of Haider missing from the team hotel. Amidst rumours of kidnapping and confusion over the keeper's whereabouts, Pakistan went into the final game of the series against SA. "We don't know where he is, the security people are searching for him", said Afridi at the toss. The team manager clarified that Haider had asked for his passport ahead of the fourth ODI for buying a SIM card. Incidentally, it was in this game that Haider played an important cameo to help Pakistan clinch a thriller. A day later, he was found in London. In a press conference, a visibly shaken Haider, who had played only one Test and four ODIs for Pakistan, announced his retirement from cricket. He also stated the reason for his absconding: he and his family had received death threats from bookies for refusing to cooperate in fixing!

Haider was a young man who grew up with a single ambition of playing cricket for Pakistan. And when he finally got the chance to follow his passion, he was forced to realise that the game was not restricted to just the 22 yards. He was suddenly faced with situations he neither expected nor knew to handle. He had just seen three team mates, which included his former Test captain, being suspended for spot fixing allegations. Taken aback by the extent of influence the bookies had over his job, and surrounded by a cloud of suspicion and distrust over his own working environment, Haider did what no one has dared to - run away from his dream, for the sake of integrity.

It is still not clear as to what exactly prompted him to take the extreme step. Some call it a stunt for publicity; some praise him for his bravery. Some question the timing of his departure; some blame the inefficiency of the PCB. Questions still arise about why he chose to flee to UK and not to his home in Pakistan. These questions may never be answered, and even if they were, it may never come out in the public domain. It is easy to mock at Haider and dismiss the entire incident as yet another Pakistani cricketing goof-up. But what it shows is a glimpse into the tough life of an honest Pakistani cricketer.